2012 honda odyssey Model Overview

Overall Rating:

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4 of 5

Honda prides itself on the 2012 Honda Odyssey earning outstanding safety ratings from both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). This helps to make the Odyssey a trustworthy choice for a family hauler in an extremely competitive market against the likes of the Toyota Sienna and Chrysler’s minivans. With its improved fuel economy, more stylish appearance, and safety ratings, the Odyssey continues to be a top choice in the minivan segment.

A nicely finished and versatile interior is an Odyssey staple, and helps define it as the ultimate family vehicle. It provides up to five Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildern (LATCH), and the third-row “magic” seat is easy to fold down with just motion. Ultimate luxury can be had in the Touring/Touring Elite models, which add heated front seats, power tailgate, coolbox, and a rear view backup camera.

Since the front-drive, eight-passenger minivan was all-new last year, complete with a lower roofline, wider track, restyled sheetmetal, and upgrades to Honda’s 3.5-liter V-6 engine and five-speed automatic that improved fuel economy, the 2012 Odyssey receives only minor tweaks. The base EX model gets more goodies, while the top-trim models are now available in an exclusive color.

Body style: Minivan

Engines: 3.5L V-6

Transmissions: 6-speed automatic, 5-speed automatic

Models: LX, EX, EX-L, Touring, Touring Elite

The Odyssey received a full-blown refresh for 2011, so changes for the 2012 Honda Odyssey are minimal. The midlevel EX gets EX-L amenities with standard Bluetooth, USB audio interface, 2-GB CD-Library, and Honda’s i-MID (Intelligent Media Information Display) with an 8-inch TFT screen. The Touring and Touring Elite trims are now available in exclusive White Diamond Pearl paint, which replaces Taffeta White.

The Odyssey’s exterior now looks lower, wider, and more angular with last year’s refresh. A lightning bolt beltline provides a more distinctive appearance, and seems to have made for a larger third-row window so passengers don’t feel as enclosed in the back. More updates from last year include Honda’s new grille and smaller headlights. The Odyssey also uses 59% high strength steel in an effort to minimize road noise and reduce body weight.

The Odyssey family hauler boasts generous interior room, with each row having ample legroom. Numerous storage compartments also provide for more interior space, and there’s seating for seven (in LX models) or eight (EX models and above). Drivers benefit on long road trips with a 10-way power adjustable seat (eight in LX models), and a tilt and telescoping steering column. Air conditioning can be manually controlled in the rear, while rear seat passengers on the Touring Elite model can watch two different video sources on the ultra-wide LCD rear entertainment display. Power sliding rear doors come standard in all models.

The Odyssey’s 3.5-liter V-6 with 248 horsepower performs well and is mated to a five-speed automatic, while top-trim models (Touring/Touring Elite) come with a new 6-speed automatic, updated last year. When pushed to its limits, acceleration still lags a bit relative to the quicker vans in this class, but more importantly, its ability to run on three cylinders or fewer to conserve fuel is a plus, resulting in class-leading fuel economy on models equipped with cylinder deactivation and the six-speed transmission. Overall, we found the Odyssey’s 1.4-inch wider stance takes corners with ease, and delivers a smooth ride the whole family can enjoy.

When it comes to safety, the 2012 Honda Odyssey is top-notch. It received a 5-star overall vehicle score from the NHTSA, and was named a top safety pick from the IIHS. Honda’s Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) maximizes occupant protection in frontal collisions, and a variety of braking aids (ABS, EBD, and BA) contribute to the Odyssey’s top safety scores. All outboard passengers have side curtain airbags, while the driver and front passenger have dual stage front and front side airbags.

2012 Honda Odyssey Pricing

Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price

$28,375

Certified Pre Owned Pricewhat is this?

$18,650

Certified Pre-Owned Price is the approximate price a consumer can expect to pay at a dealership for a used vehicle that has passed the manufacturer's certification process. This price applies only to vehicles covered under an automaker's CPO program, not to a dealership's own "certified" used price.

Recalls

If the gear selector is moved from the park position without pressing the brake pedal it can allow the vehicle to roll away, increasing the risk of a crash.

Recall Date

0000-00-00

Description

Honda is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 CR-V, Odyssey, and model year 2013 Acura RDX vehicles. During sub-freezing temperatures, the brake-shift interlock blocking mechanism may become slow and allow the gear selector to be moved from the Park position without pressing the brake pedal. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."

Remedy

Honda will notify owners and instruct them to take their vehicle to a Honda or Acura dealer. The dealer will install an updated brake shift interlock blocking mechanism free of charge. The recall began on May 13, 2013. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009. Honda's campaign recall numbers are S96, S97, and S98.

Units Affected

204169

Recall ID#13V016000 - AIR BAGS

Consequence

The absence of more than one rivet could alter the performance of the driver's airbag during deployment. This could potentially increase the risk of injury during a crash.

Recall Date

0000-00-00

Description

Honda is recalling certain model year 2009-2013 Pilot and 2011-2013 Odyssey passenger vehicles manufactured from March 13, 2008, through December 21, 2012. One or more rivets that attach the airbag module to the airbag cover may be missing.

Remedy

Honda will notify owners and instruct them to take their vehicle to a Honda dealer. The dealer will inspect the driver's airbag module and replace it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 14, 2013. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009.

Units Affected

748481

Recall ID#11V602000 - SUSPENSION:FRONT

Consequence

IF THE NUT LOOSENS, THE FRONT HUB ASSEMBLY WOULD ONLY BE ATTACHED BY ONE BOLT, ALLOWING THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY TO SHIFT TO AN EXTREME INWARD ANGLE, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF STEERING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Recall Date

0000-00-00

Description

HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012, ODYSSEY VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 31, 2011, THROUGH NOVEMBER 30, 2011. THE RETENTION NUT FOR THE FRONT RIGHT LOWER SUSPENSION DAMPER BOLT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED TO THE PROPER TORQUE, POTENTIALLY ALLOWING THE NUT TO LOOSEN.

Remedy

HONDA CONTACTED ALL NINE OWNERS BY PHONE ON DECEMBER 19, 2011, AND REPAIRED THE VEHICLES AS NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009.

2012 Honda Odyssey News and Reviews

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